Delamere Forest saw approx 3000 hardy souls compete in the HellRunner up North race last Saturday. Those Joining me at the start included several witches, a man wearing a suit (with bowler hat) and Mr Mankini! After a gentle and only slightly hilly/muddy 3 miles, we headed into the forest and that’s when the fun started. Everyone had been talking about the infamous Bog of Doom, but before that we encountered several muddy bogs (waist high), and muddy vertical type climbs all adding to the fun. About 8/9 miles in everyone had to wade through a 100 metre path of icy (….well it was really really cold ) water – all of us playing a sort of Russian roulette game – one step forward -water remained thigh deep, the next step you instantly dropped to your waist/neck and so on and so forth. Admittedly, a number of people seemed to struggle with this part of the course and this was the sting in the HellRunner run (tail). Just before the end, we reached The Bog of Doom (more mud, lots of support) and by then I and everyone else found themselves jumping in the mud even if we didn’t have to.

After approx 2.32 hrs, the race was complete and medal and goody bag presented.

Ok, I know the HellRunner brand/hype puts alot of runners off , together with higher than usual entry fee etc but I have to say that as along as you don’t take it too seriously, this event was well organised, with a fun and challenging course – I have never seen so many men hugging foul blankets at the end !
I’d certainly Recommend and add it to my race calendar – maybe just with a costume next time.

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Cheshire Sports have been in touch with details of yet another free training day – this time just down the road in Delamere Forest.

No matter what ability of runner you are, this training day will give you the chance to learn about road, trail and fell running and all that is involved! Learn about techniques which can improve your running, the right food to eat and event the right kit to wear! This event is free and as places are limited, its first come first served, so don’t miss out on your opportunity to learn or develop your running skills!

All that attend will receive a FREE place on a Leadership in Running Fitness course!

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Well the planning is in its final stages, the water jugs ready and the coach is warming up. 127 runners and walkers are thinking about which t-shirt to wear, whether and where to vaseline, which shoes to use and how many packets of jelly babies they need to buy.

After a lot of hard graft from a few people we’re pretty much ready to relaunch this fondly-remembered event. Several members of Helsby RC have had a bit of a thing for this route, both recently and further back. Indeed we’ve had quite a few completions in respectable times (records here) over the last weeks and months. It’ll be great to get the event back on.

We’re relaunching the much loved Sandstone Trail Challenge for 2011. A formidable challenge for runners and walkers alike, this event has a long history of involvement from Helsby RC and we’re relaunching it as an LDWA event for the current year.

Not just for runners! We’re a running club, but this an event for walkers and runners. Indeed half the places will be reserved for walkers, so there’s no danger of them being outnumbered. There’s an interesting round-up from Andy Robinson here.

Find out more on the Helsby website. Any questions, ask at the club or email andy@crewood.net. See you on May 21! Be warned, it’s likely to sell out, we’re already half full, primarily from word of mouth.

Well done to everyone who ran in the Sandstone Trail races yesterday by the way, particularly Jackie for lifting the Ladies Over 50 trophy! Conditions were atrociously muddy underfoot and it didn’t stop raining all day. Placings:

Well done to Dave Madders for a great run in the 3rd Cheshire (Delamere) Half Marathon at the weekend.

and in his words…

“I attach as promised a surprising photo of me holding a running trophy and I didn’t steal it or kick anyone to deserve it!
A friend invited me to join him in the 3rd Cheshire (Delamere) Half Marathon a little known event with around 50 entrants half running and half walking around the pathways and trails of Delamere Forest all in aid of parkinsons disease.

I had promised my friend that I’d take it easy and run with him but when the gun went and only a dozen or so looked like they were going to compete for the top three male prizes on offer, the competitive streak came out! I ran half a mile with my mate and only seven or eight runners were in front so terribly I said bye and left him for the dots in the distance. The scenery was superb and the weather absolutely ideal for running. The organisation was superb with every turn being easily signposted. The route consisted of two laps of the forest and by the end of lap 1 I thought I was in fourth place, outside the prizes but not catching the leaders, but then at the drinks station an organisor said good going Dave your in third! Had he got it wrong or had I?….

I spent the next 45 mins busting a gut in case I was in third , I didn’t want to be overtaken but also I could be in fourth so I needed to put it in and try and get another place. For 6 1/2 miles I saw no one and cursed those numerous other runners who were out having a run but weren’t in the race as every time I saw someone running I put in a ridiculous 1/2 mile ‘sprint’ and I limped across the line in just over 1.40 not knowing how I’d done when the organiser handed me water and asked if I’d mind sticking around for the prize giving. I’d done it I’d got my first ever ( and hopefully not last ) running trophy!

Running round delamere with the promise of coffee and cake after the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning

Dave Madders”

Big congratulations are in order for the run and thanks for the free advertising for Helsby too!